UFC Parts Ways With Fight Before Their First Fight In The Octagon

Forbes - Mar 20th, 2025
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So Yul Kim, a 27-year-old women's strawweight fighter, was released from the UFC without ever making her debut after contract issues prevented her from competing. Initially signed in September 2023, Kim was set to fight Eduarda Moura in November 2023, but the bout was canceled. On March 17, 2024, she was officially removed from the UFC roster. With a fight now scheduled against Qingqing Yang in the South Korean promotion Angel's Fighting Championship on March 22, Kim has an opportunity to showcase her skills and potentially return to the UFC, where she hopes to make an impact in the bustling women's strawweight division.

The context of Kim's departure highlights the competitive nature and contractual complexities within the MMA world. The UFC's women's strawweight division is currently led by champion Zhang Weili, with the potential for shifts in the rankings as fighters like Yan Xiaonan and Virna Jandiroba vie for top positions. Kim's young age and talent present her with a chance to re-enter the UFC and contribute to the evolving dynamics of the division. Meanwhile, the UFC continues to engage audiences with events like the upcoming UFC London, featuring notable fighters such as Leon Edwards and Sean Brady in the main event, demonstrating the organization's continued commitment to high-stakes matchups.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The story provides a clear and timely account of So Yul Kim's recent developments in the MMA world. It accurately reports her signing, scheduled debut, and release from the UFC, along with her upcoming fight, making it relevant for fans and followers of the sport. However, the story's impact and engagement are limited by its lack of specific sources and deeper exploration of the contractual issues mentioned. While it maintains a fair balance and is easy to read, it could benefit from enhanced transparency and source quality to strengthen its credibility. The story's focus on a niche audience means its public interest and controversy scores are moderate, with potential for greater impact if linked to broader sports management themes.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately presents the basic facts regarding So Yul Kim's signing with the UFC, her scheduled debut, and subsequent release. It correctly notes her age and the timeline of events, such as her signing in September 2023 and release in March 2025. The claim about her contract issues with ONE Championship aligns with available reports, though the story could benefit from more detailed verification of these issues. The mention of Kim's upcoming fight in the Angel’s Fighting Championship is also accurate, as is the record of her opponent, Qingqing Yang. However, the story lacks direct quotes or statements from the UFC or Kim, which would strengthen its accuracy further.

7
Balance

The story maintains a fair balance in its presentation, focusing on So Yul Kim's career trajectory without evident bias. It covers her potential return to the UFC, highlighting opportunities and challenges she faces. However, it could include more perspectives, such as comments from Kim herself, UFC officials, or analysts, to provide a fuller picture of the situation. The narrative primarily focuses on Kim's prospects and current UFC rankings, which may overlook other relevant voices or opinions that could enrich the story.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides readers through the narrative of So Yul Kim's career developments. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to follow the story. The inclusion of UFC rankings and upcoming fight details adds context and helps situate Kim's situation within the broader landscape of women's strawweight division. However, a more explicit explanation of the implications of Kim's contract issues and release could enhance comprehension for readers unfamiliar with MMA contractual norms.

6
Source quality

The story does not cite any specific sources or direct statements, which affects its credibility. While it references 'several sources' regarding Kim's contract issues, these are not specified, leaving readers without a clear sense of the information's origins. The narrative would benefit from direct quotes or attributions from credible entities like the UFC, ONE Championship, or sports analysts to enhance its reliability. The lack of explicit sources means readers have to rely on the article's assertions without the ability to verify them independently.

5
Transparency

Transparency is somewhat lacking in the story, as it does not disclose the methodology behind its claims or the sources of its information. The article could improve by explaining the basis for its statements, particularly regarding Kim's contract issues and her release from the UFC. Additionally, providing context about the nature of the UFC's contractual obligations and the typical reasons for a fighter's release would offer readers a clearer understanding of the situation. The story's transparency is limited by its reliance on unspecified sources and assumptions.

Sources

  1. https://www.mk.co.kr/en/sports/11267340
  2. https://www.ufc.com/athlete/so-yul-kim
  3. https://athlonsports.com/mma/so-yul-kim-has-been-cut-from-the-ufc
  4. https://www.yardbarker.com/mma/articles/ufc_fighter_released_before_ever_stepping_in_the_octagon/s1_17615_41919795
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEIJKNJ2mYY